Buying a used car is stressful. The seller might claim it's "perfect," but how do you know if there's an oil leak hidden under the bonnet, if the brakes are shot, or if the clutch is on its last legs?
The "Old Way" involves trusting the seller blindly or struggling to find a mechanic willing to travel to view the car with you. Maxamy Mobile Autocare offers the "Smart Way." We provide a Basic Pre-Purchase Inspection at the seller's location for a fixed price of £84.99.
It is an entry-level mechanical assessment designed to identify obvious and developing faults before you commit to buying. We perform an 86-point check and a road test, helping you avoid buying a vehicle with immediate or costly problems.
A Basic Pre-Purchase Inspection is ideal if you want essential peace of mind without paying for cosmetic or advanced diagnostic checks. It is best suited for:
Lower Value Vehicles: Ideal for run-arounds or first cars where a full premium check isn't cost-effective.
Private Sales: You are buying from a private driveway and want a professional second opinion.
Mechanical Focus: You are less concerned about minor scratches and just want to know if the engine and brakes are safe.
Unknown History: The car looks clean, but the service history is patchy or missing.
Cost-Conscious Buyers: You want a professional risk check but need to keep costs down.
Safety Assurance: You want to confirm the car is roadworthy before driving it home.
We carry out a rigorous inspection focusing on mechanical condition, structural integrity, and safety-critical components.
Where access allows, we perform a road test of up to 5 miles. This is critical for identifying issues that only appear when the vehicle is driven. We assess engine performance and noise, gearbox and clutch operation (checking for slips or crunching), steering response and alignment, and braking performance. We also monitor for warning lights or abnormal behaviour during the drive.
Schedule OnlineWe perform a thorough visual check under the bonnet. This includes inspecting the engine oil level and checking for visible leaks of oil, coolant, or fuel. We inspect the visible condition of belts and hoses for signs of wear, and check brake fluid and power steering fluid levels to ensure the systems are maintained. This helps spot signs of neglect or impending failure.
Schedule OnlineWe test the essential electrical systems to ensure the car is road-legal and safe. This includes checking all exterior and interior lighting, indicators, brake lights, and hazard lights. We also verify the operation of wipers, washers, and the horn, as well as basic electrical functionality within the cabin.
Schedule OnlineWe inspect the condition of all road wheels and tyres. This includes checking tyre tread depth to ensure legality, looking for uneven tyre wear (which can indicate alignment or suspension issues), and visually assessing the wheel condition. If a spare wheel or inflation kit is present, we check that too.
Schedule OnlineWe check the operation of seat belts, seat mechanisms, and steering wheel adjustment for safety. We also check the dashboard for warning indicators and ensure mirrors and interior switches are working. Externally, we perform a basic visual check for visible body damage, signs of previous repairs, and the condition of the glass and windscreen.
Schedule Online
Fixed Price of £84.99
Our service ensures that you receive a thorough and expert evaluation of the vehicle's condition without any unexpected costs.
We Go to the Seller
Whether it's a private home, dealership, workplace, or storage location, Maxamy Mobile Autocare travels to the car. You don't need to arrange transport.
Independent & Honest
We work for you. Our report is unbiased, factual, and designed to help you make the right decision. Our detailed digital reports provide you with the necessary insights to make informed purchasing decisions, free from any influence from the seller.
Road Test Included
Our comprehensive test drive goes beyond a simple visual inspection. We assess the vehicle's performance under real driving conditions, checking for any unusual noises, steering issues, or transmission problems that could indicate underlying mechanical faults.
Book Your Inspection
Provide your contact information, the seller's address, vehicle details, and the date for the inspection through phone, WhatsApp, or our online form
How the Inspection Works
Our mechanic will thoroughly examine the vehicle and check the key components. The car will also be taken for a road test to assess its performance and identify any potential issues that may not be visible during a stationary inspection.
After the Inspection
You will receive a comprehensive digital report detailing the vehicle's condition, complete with photographic evidence, via email. This report will assist you in making an informed decision on whether to purchase, negotiate, or walk away.
Maxamy Mobile Autocare provides comprehensive pre-purchase vehicle inspections across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, offering detailed evaluations of a used car's condition before you commit to buying.
We offer inspections across the region, including Slough, Reading, Maidenhead, Windsor, Ascot, Bracknell, Wokingham, High Wycombe, and Uxbridge, as well as surrounding towns such as Marlow, Henley-on-Thames, Cookham, Bourne End, Egham, and Staines-upon-Thames.
Regardless of the car's location, we provide reliable and professional pre-purchase car inspections, ensuring you avoid the pitfalls of purchasing a vehicle with hidden issues.
A basic pre-purchase inspection is a professional assessment of a used vehicle’s condition before you agree to buy it. A qualified mechanic checks core mechanical and structural components and provides a report outlining any concerns or potential issues to help you make an informed buying decision. This level of inspection focuses on key areas of the vehicle’s health, giving a reliable snapshot of its condition.
Even if a used car looks fine in photos or on a brief test drive, underlying mechanical or structural problems can be costly to fix. A basic inspection gives you expert insight into the car’s true condition, helping you avoid unpleasant surprises and make a more confident purchase decision.
A basic inspection typically covers an 86-point mechanical and structural check, including engine, brakes, suspension, steering and safety-critical systems. It also usually involves a road test so the mechanic can assess how the vehicle performs under normal driving conditions. A detailed inspection report is provided after the check.
No. While you’re welcome to be present, it’s not required. As long as the seller agrees and the mechanic has access to the vehicle, the inspection can be completed on your behalf. You’ll receive a comprehensive report after the inspection.
Yes. A basic inspection is designed to highlight potential safety issues by checking key systems such as brakes, steering, suspension and structural integrity. While it is not as exhaustive as more detailed inspections, it can identify major faults that might affect safety or roadworthiness.
Yes. A basic pre-purchase inspection normally includes a road test so the mechanic can evaluate how the car drives, how the brakes respond and whether there are any obvious performance issues. This complements the static checks and gives a more complete picture of the vehicle’s condition.
If the inspection report identifies issues, you can use this information to negotiate a fairer price with the seller. Knowing the likely cost of rectifying problems in advance strengthens your bargaining position and helps ensure you’re paying a price that reflects the car’s actual condition.
No. A basic pre-purchase inspection provides a condition report showing the state of the vehicle at the time of inspection, but it does not include a warranty. It is an unbiased assessment to support your buying decision, not a guarantee of future performance or repairs.
.svg){kind=icon}
